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Pantech Burst review: AT&T gives a lot for a little

What will $50 get you? If you said the Pantech Burst Android smartphone for AT&T, then quite a lot, actually.

Jessica Dolcourt Senior Director, Commerce & Content Operations
Jessica Dolcourt is a passionate content strategist and veteran leader of CNET coverage. As Senior Director of Commerce & Content Operations, she leads a number of teams, including Commerce, How-To and Performance Optimization. Her CNET career began in 2006, testing desktop and mobile software for Download.com and CNET, including the first iPhone and Android apps and operating systems. She continued to review, report on and write a wide range of commentary and analysis on all things phones, with an emphasis on iPhone and Samsung. Jessica was one of the first people in the world to test, review and report on foldable phones and 5G wireless speeds. Jessica began leading CNET's How-To section for tips and FAQs in 2019, guiding coverage of topics ranging from personal finance to phones and home. She holds an MA with Distinction from the University of Warwick (UK).
Expertise Content strategy, team leadership, audience engagement, iPhone, Samsung, Android, iOS, tips and FAQs.
Jessica Dolcourt
Pantech Burst
Josh Miller/CNET

When the top-tier everything-smartphones cost between $200 and $300, I can't blame you for dubiously eying a $50 phone. However, if your budget is top of mind, and Android is where your heart lies, then do yourself a favor and check out the Pantech Burst.

Why? It has 4G LTE, a 4-inch Super AMOLED screen, a (good) 5-megapixel camera, a front-facing camera, and a 1.5GHz dual-core processor. Poorer call quality and battery life are the price trade-offs, but if you can live with that, you'll find in the Burst a Gingerbread device that pretty much does it all.

Watch the video, see the photos, and read all the pros and cons in my full Pantech Burst review.